The Two Confessions by John Whitbourn (good books to read for adults .TXT) 📕

What awaits us is like a long hungpheasant.’

Thatwas about the last simile Samuel had been expecting. His clever retort abortedbefore it could be born. Only straightforward enquiry was left to him.

‘Howso?’

‘Because,’said the Wizard, licking his lips, ‘it is old, and rotten, and rank - and delicious.’

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cHAPTER 30

‘The most that I'mproposing,’ said the very relaxed man, ‘is an arrangement to our mutualbenefit.’

‘Ican sort of see that,’ agreed Samuel. He would have been unrecognisable to thosewho knew him: mild, accommodating, almost apologetic for having the temerity tobe alive. The visitor, knowing no different, was taken in. ‘But I must admit,Mr...?’

‘Glendower,’said the red-haired thug lolling in Trevan's own armchair. ‘Owain Glendower.’

So,he was arrogant with it, as well as overconfident. Why did they assume that noone but them knew any Welsh history?

‘Imust admit, Mr Glendower, I was getting worried about security....’

Hecouldn't have come at a better time. Samuel had just emerged from the mine,fresh from his interview with the Wizard; enraged, clue-less and blinking atthe light. To find the source of at least some of his troubles showing its facein his cabin was just what the doctor ordered. All other tasks were postponed forthe duration. Now he was both enjoying himself and sorting things at thesame time. It was sweet, sweet, sweet.

‘Yourconcerns are past, Mr Trevan,’ said the visitor. ‘From now on you canconcentrate on what you do best. Extract whatever precious bounty you may fromMother Earth's entrails whilst others, better suited, fend off the evil-eye ofthis wild country. If we have your well-being as our charge, you might dependno more payrolls will go astray. No, don't gasp, we know about that. It is ourbusiness to be well informed, just as it is yours to direct the tides ofcommerce. Is there any more of this rather fine apple brandy?’

Therecertainly was. Samuel would have this unctuous land-pirate as chatty as hecared to get. He jumped up like a skivvy and poured as he imagined a nervousman might. The visitor accepted without thanks and drank without style,knocking the tumbler back drunkard fashion. So there was the explanation forthe red tracery on his cheeks.

‘Choice!Better than a wench - well, an English one anyway: no disrespect to you, MrTrevan. Now, like I said, my associates have extensive interests in thisvicinity, for all it might not be our homeland, but rather the back garden ofour bitter enemy. No matter, the profit extracted is all the most tasty, plustiny recompense for the lashing you've - present company excepted, sir - dishedout to dear Cymru. Most sensible enterprises round here oblige us withdonations, so don't think you're unfairly singled out. No indeed. We even have baseshere, see; safe from the maelstrom made of our nation. In short, the Dragonsare in a position to do you much good, as well as - just speculativelyspeaking, of course - the contrary.’

‘Aswith the pump spares, I suppose.’ Samuel thought his pre-emptive cringe was notat all bad.

‘...Just so, Mr Trevan.’

Now,that hesitation was interesting. Either this terrorist's pimp was badlybriefed or else not all Samuel's recent misfortunes were their doing.

‘Idon't suppose I have much option, do I, Mr Glendower?’

‘Notif you tread the path of reason, Mr Trevan; and I've heard nothing thisafternoon to indicate that's not your way. Our premiums are modest, as you'veheard. Take a route around trouble if one's offered, that's my counsel.’

Clearlywell satisfied, ‘Glendower’ prepared to go, drawing his green oilcoat from theback of the chair. It dislodged the antimacassar Melissa had embroidered.

‘Pickthat up, taffy!’ shouted Samuel.

Fromsheep to roaring lion in an instant. Stupid! Bad, indulgent, mistake! Thesudden change of tune might undo all.

Trevanneedn't have worried. The Welsh racketeer put his puzzlement down to mishearingor the brandy.

‘Pardon,Mr Trevan?’

‘Nothing.It's just... I wondered…. Are you sure the demands won't go up and up? I'veheard of such things.’

Thevisitor smiled down on him. ‘Not with us, boy. We're an old firm - had time tolearn. Geese and golden eggs and all that.’

‘Ohgood.’

‘Ifyou do have problems, we may be contacted at the 'Arthur' inNewport, just across the water. We are patriots, not blackmailers, Trevan-Seasneg.Value for money will be given if necessary. The rent can go to the sameaddress. Do you understand? I don't want to have and come and see you again.You will be in touch, won't you?’

Samuel'sreply could at last contain plain truth, though he had to address the floor inorder to mask his grin.

‘Ohyes, Mr Glendower,’ he said meekly, all the while trying to prevent hisshoulders from shaking, ‘you may depend on it.’

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ARCHBISHOP OF LONDON'S LIBRARY - WHITEHALL CITADEL.RESTRICTED

'A BRIEF GUIDE TO SOCIALLY-HOSTILE, IRRELIGIOUS OR IMPIOUS GROUPINGS.

(Forthe perusal of officers new to his Majesty's Secret Service or fresh arrived inUnited England from elsewhere in Christendom. Thoroughly revised November, theyear of our Lord 2020 AD).

[oncover, in hand-script]

To: The Dean-Temporal's Librarian and Remembrancer's department - andsuch others as may be interested.

From: The Dean Temporal's National Intelligence Department. 19/01/21.

 

Dear Helmut.

Do we want this on file? They send it to me every year. Our own stuff ismuch better informed. Happy New Year by the way.

Yours in Christ (and haste)

Alfred

 

[below,in another hand]

Dear Alfred.

We may as well I suppose. Copies made and distributed. Thanks. How arePersephone and the children? God bless....

Yours

 Helmut. 06/02/21

…RED DRAGONS: the collective term, formally in use since the 18thcentury, for the armed protagonists of that section of WEST ENGLAND aspiring toindependence and statehood. The title is drawn from the formless chaos of early'Welsh' legend wherein such a mythical beast is taken to symbolise the (equallymythical) nation.

Initiallyapplied to the regular forces of infantry and some light cavalry maintained bythe Caernarfon statelet, and then, after its final extinction in the Christmascampaign of 1995, to the irregulars and terrorists who dispute that settlement.Fleeing their pacified 'homeland', the latter came to wield some influence inthe southern commercial towns such as Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, as well asextending tentacles further afield. The Hibernian agricultural joint-stockcompanies were also much disrupted by their activities amongst the bonded workforce.See, for instance, files available on the 1980's 'Gower Rising' and resultant'Father Oakley's Campaign'.

However,in a dispiritingly short time they then acquired the manner of a criminalconspiracy, and the